Theodor hlusler



(No Model!) T. HAUSLER.

PORK

No. 456,032. Patented-July 14, 1891'.

m: Noam: unis m, vow-r6111 UNITED STATES P TENT OFFICE.

THEODOR HAUSLER, OF DRESDEN, GERMANY.

FORK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 456,032, dated July 14, 1891.

Application filed March 30,1891. Serial No. 386,997. (No model.) Patented in Germany October7, 1888, No. 46,927, and April 9, 1889, No. 48,711; in Austria-Hungary June 30,1889, and in England July 23, 1889, No. 11,743-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THEODOR HliUsLER, a subject of the King of Saxony, residing at Dresden, in Saxony, in the-Empire of Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Table-Forks, (for which I have obtained patents of Germany, N 0. 46,927, dated October 7, 1888, and No. 48,711, dated 7 April 9, 1889; in Great Britain, No. 11,743,

dated July 23, 1889, and in Austria-Hungary, dated June 30, 1889,) of which the following is a specification.

It is well known that the cleaning of existing table-forks, especially between the prongs, is tedious and therefore frequently performed carelessly.

The object of this invention is to obviate this difficulty by providing the fork with movable or folding prongs, thus enabling each prong to be cleaned, wiped, and polished thoroughly on all sides. For this purpose it may be sufficient to make only the two side prongs movable and to leave the central prong stationary, or, conversely, the one or more central prongs may be movable and the side prongs stationary.

Intheaccoinpanying drawings, Figures'l and 2 illustrate the first-mentioned arrangement, and Figs. 4 and 5 the second form. Fig. 3 is a detail View of the prongs d d and the extensions e e.

Each prong forms an independent piece, the central prong a being secured directly to the tang b, by which the fork is fitted to the handle h, and formingapointed extension of such piece 1). Through this central prong is passed a pin or pivot 0, upon which are hinged the two other prongs d cl by means of their extensions 6 e. The external prongs d (1', taken in conjunction with their extensions e e, somewhat resemble bayonets in Shape, Fig. 3. The extensions 6 e assume the same shape as the portion 1) of the piece 12, carrying the central prong, and in a closed condition bear against the sides of b. VVithin the ferrule of thehandle h a sleeve or socket g is adjustable, and is pressed outward by the spring 1 The extensions e e are beveled at their ends, so that when the prongs are moved to their normal or closed position they force back the sleeve or socket g automatically, whereupon the said sleeve passes over them again by spring action.

NVhen it is desired to displace the prongs sidewise, the sleeve g must first be forced or drawn back. Where the side prongs are stationary and the central prongs movable, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, the central prongs a ct'are pivoted by means of eyes upon a pin or spindle c, secured in the side prongs d d. If there be two central or internal prongs, oneof them is preferably made capable of folding forward and the other backward. The extensions 6 e may be adapted to enter a groove in the central portion 1),

and can be retained in this position by a spring-controlled sleeve 9, arranged in the same manner as in the first-mentioned form, or they may be held together by a ring 0, arranged to be passed over them, as in Figs. 4 and 5.

The before-described fork may be provided with any desired number of prongs or tines, any desired number of which may be movable. I

This improved table-fork, which in appearance but slightly differs from those now in use, may be readily cleaned, and therefore, remaining longer in good condition, will prove more economical than-those formerly used.

I claim 1. In a table-fork, the combination, with a fixed or stationary prong or tine, of one or more movable prongs or tines, substantially as described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

2. In a table-fork, the combination, with a movable prong or tine, of an extension on said tine and a spring-controlled collar or sleeve for engaging such extension, substantially as described, and illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

3. In a table-fork, 'the combination, with two outer stationary tines or prongs, of one .or more inner movable tines or prongs, substantially as described, and illustrated in the In testimony thereof I have hereunto set accompanying drawings. my hand in presence of two witnesses. 4. In a table-fork, the combination, with u fixed tines and movable tines having exten- THEODOR HAUSLER'. 5 sions,' of a ring or collar for engaging with the movable tine-extensions, substantially as Witnesses:

described, and illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 of RUD. SCHMIDT,

the accompanying drawings. PAUL DRI'ECKMILLEB. 

